The procedure is not only unique at national level. To date, no comparable procedure has been implemented anywhere in the world. It thus falls to BASE to identify the need for research on the individual topics of the procedure as well as on the process itself.

The StandAG sets out qualitative and quantitative requirements and criteria for the selection of a repository site. Yet, the StandAG does not contain any detailed scientific justification for the quantitative requirements and criteria. Decisions within the framework of the site selection procedure, however, require a reliable documentation of decision basis. This raises questions regarding the derivation and justification as well as the application of requirements and criteria, but also regarding the handling of various types of uncertainties.

See (in German only): "Support of BASE in the process analysis of the site selection procedure (Unterstützung des BASE bei der Prozessanalyse des Standortauswahlverfahrens (PaSta))".

BASE considers and determines the site-related exploration programmes and examination criteria and ensures that the methods chosen correspond to the state of the art in science and technology. To do so, BASE needs to gain an overview of exploration and investigation methods that already exist or are under development.

See (in German only): "Measuring methods for surface exploration programmes pursuant to the StandAG (Messmethoden für übertägige Erkundungsprogramme gemäß StandAG (MessEr))"

Long-term safety is of central importance for the repository site to be identified. A sound and up-to-date understanding of (potentially) occurring processes, such as the dispersion of radioactive substances or rock formation, is needed to carry for the observation and modelling of the long-term safety analyses. Another question that will need to be addressed in the years to come is how different types of uncertainties can best be taken into account in such modelling

Suitable assessment concepts must be developed for the components described in the safety concept as well as the requirements placed on them. The assessment methods to be applied are based on the current state of science and technology and must be adapted to possible changes or developments. Another question that needs to be assessed is to what extent further developments have an influence on previously issued safety statements.

Scenario development assesses the safety of a repository in the post-sealing phase. A systematic analysis of possible events identifies future possible developments as relevant scenarios and describes them in detail. However, there are no precise requirements regarding the application and development of a method for the systematic deduction of scenarios. Clarity is needed in this regard.

This term encompasses all elements for assessing the safety of a repository site. For the safety assessment, the current state of science and technology is necessary with regard to the methods used.

BASE needs to define requirements for the verification of the technical feasibility of individual components of a repository, e.g. casks, sealing or backfill; and develop criteria for experimental and computational verification. The StandAG contains many requirements, such as retrievability or the possibility of salvage, which have not yet been considered in the past. This gives rise to a corresponding need for research.

As part of the preliminary safety investigations (Section 27 StandAG), safety-related assessments based on criteria (Sections 24 and 25 StandAG) as well as safety-related comparisons and comparative evaluations are carried out several times throughout the site selection procedure. The methods used in the assessments and considerations can have a major influence on the outcome. A more in-depth examination of the methods is therefore necessary to ensure a transparent and comprehensible selection procedure for the best possible repository site. BASE will review existing methods and develop them further if necessary.